home & back again

Last week started off with quite a bang and so thankful those few days are behind us!  My sweet grannie is in heaven now, just where we all want her to be.  It doesn't seem possible that she's not with us anymore.  I made some really good arrangements to get home to GA for the funeral.  The plan was perfect and the kids were able to stay home with Dad.  The flight home was great and then BAM...woke up the next morning with a horrible stomach bug.  I'd rather die than puke.  Ok, not really- but I'm a total baby about it.  I missed my sweet Grannie's celebration of life.  The only bonus to this yuckiness was that I was in the care of Nurse Nana & my family was not exposed. 

The next morning, my mom, Marsha, and I all piled into the car and started our 12 hour journey back to Maryland.  I have to say that I'd rather ride back feeling woosy ANY day over driving with children in the backseat.  This trip was a breeze to me.  We had a great time & it was so nice to be back home.

Mom & Marsha were planning a trip up here anyways, so all the little details just fell in place.  Funny how that always happens.  We had the most perfect weather the four days they were in town. We celebrated Nana's birthday and acted like true tourists visiting the beach (several times!), strolling the boardwalk, and eating lots of yummy food. 

Our first afternoon was spent visiting downtown Berlin.  They stayed in the most adorable Hotel- or "city" as Davis calls it.  We walked around a bit & had a yummy soda shop lunch!

We went out to the beach several times in spite of the chilly temps!  It was so warm at home and quite windy & chilly at the beach.  The kids had to try out their new shovels that Nana bought them on the boardwalk! 

Going to the boardwalk never gets old to me.  The kids love it because they can run like crazy and eat popcorn.  (darn camera battery was dead when we went!)

The best part of the week was celebrating my mom's birthday.  Hamburgers on the grill, cupcakes, yummy drinks, and celebrating a really awesome mama...doesn't get any better than that! 

We loved our company and it was sad to see them go. 

Now we're gearing up for more fun company this week.... Mimi & Papa are coming tomorrow! 
**I meant to mention something about Marsha... she is one of my mom's very best friends and we love her dearly.  She is like family to us and we are so glad the kids had a chance to spend time with her.  She has 4 (soon to be 6...with twins on the way!) grandchildren of her own!  Lucky Grammy & lucky us to know her!